Malaysia are the champions

A perfect 50th Merdeka gift after Malaysia defeated Myanmar 3-1 in the 39th Merdeka Tournament yesterday night. There is no stopping the spirited Malaysia team especially playing in front of 40,000 fans at the Shah Alam Stadium. It was an ideal time for the Malaysia to become Champions for the 11th time whereby only left 2 days just before the 50th Merdeka celebration for our country. The Malaysia played with a lot of confident and Myanmar definitely had no answer to our attacking side which has no problem scoring goal in this tournament. This victory also brings a sweet revenge for the 1-2 defeat by Myanmar in the earlier group stage.

Malaysia opened the account after just 12th minute when Mohd Zaquan Adha made a little run and found himself one on one with Myanmar goalkeeper, Aung Oo and he coolly passed the ball into the back of the net. It was a good finish by the forward and a good link play between Mohd Zaquan Adha and Safee Sali. After the early goal, Malaysia definitely looks the better side and dominated the first half. One goal wouldn’t be enough to clinch the title because Myanmar worked hard to find the equalizer with their never say die attitude. Malaysia surely needs a second goal to kill off Myanmar hope. Malaysia did have couple of chances in the first half but they failed to convert into goal.

After an exciting first half, it was entertaining time for the fans in the stadium where they enjoyed watching the penalty contest on the field. Second half started the same way as the first half ends with exciting football played when both team tried to score goals. Malaysia in desperate to find the second goal to kill Myanmar hope and they did it when defender Myo Thant turned a cross from Safee into his own goal in the 56th minute. A good play by Safee passing Myanmar defender and passed the ball into the penalty area hoping someone will tap in the ball into the net before the ball gone out of field. Myo Thant hopes to clear the ball out from the danger area where Mohd Zaquan was just behind him.

Safee made the lead to 3 goals and surely the title is in the Malaysia hand. An intelligent individual effort from him, coolly turned past his marker and slot the ball passed the goalkeeper in the 60th minute. I think he surely will earn the Man of the Match award after a good performance from him in this match. Myanmar did pull 1 goal back in the 73rd minute and they haven’t given up yet until the last minute. In the final 15 minute, more action are from the players rather than from the football which we saw some clashes between both side when Malaysia trying to slow thing down and Myanmar try to find goals. Now Malaysia is just waiting for the final whistle and start celebrating their 11th title in this tournament. Five minutes were added in the stoppage time and after that, the supporter went wild and start celebrating by making as much noise as possible and also waving the Malaysia flag in the stadium. We are the Champions!